As the title suggests, how would you rate your Croma experience (good and bad)? Is there such a thing as a Croma owner who has not had problems? Please include engine/gearbox/trim level/mileage to see if there are issues common to certain models...

Croma Prestigio 2.4 2006 at 25000 miles. Only 3 weeks into the experience. In spite of many reports over the thirsty nature of the 2.4 (previously Alfa GT 1.9) on the Alfa site, I was hoping to get the extra urban mpg as I have covered 170,000 miles in the last 11 years in Fiat diesels and all have returned me the extra urban quoted figure.
The Croma is about about 20% short of that.
I suppose Fiat UK would not be interested in remapping even if the current models ecu was significantly modified.
Otherwise OK for now. It goes round corners pretty well for a heavy car, which is good, especially after a GT, but I suspect this is at the expense of heavy tyre wear.
Looking at eLearn and Nick Bailey's toe in figures there is definitely something odd going on with the rear suspension. I no longer have access to a 4 post lift and alignment equipment, but it appears that the rear toe in significantly alters when cornering, or carrying extra weight. eLearn says that as long as rear toe in is within spec it doesn't matter if you have more on one side. This information may be out of date now.

Just brought home 12 8 foot lengths of timber easily accommodated inside.

I hate to say it (as I have owned several Fiats) but I have had a catalogue of issues with my Croma. It's a 1.9 Prestigio Multijet with several extras. I've had it 2 years 3 months clocking just over 45k from new.

Too many issues, but off the top of my head: faulty electric wing mirror, replaced stero, replacement alternator, electric sunroof wouldn't close, lost all acceleration, all tyres replaced after < 22k, very poor fuel consumption...

I'm now awaiting a Bravo - anytime soon! I complained to Fiat and they gave me 1k off the price. Crap px for the Croma though.

My Dad has a Croma - 3 months older than mine (only 18k though). He's been ok in general. He's driven to France and Holland too. Saying that, on Saturday when he used his front screen wash the water went onto the floor under the engine!

I have a 1.9 Mulitjet 150bhp Croma and i love it. Had it 6months now and i can't fault it. Granted the belts make a noise when starting from cold on a freezing day but I've had it check out, belts all replaced and my Croma just thinks it's a Alfa by the sound of it from the people from Fiat. I can live with the noise.

I like the boot size and it will make getting the pushchair and stuff in so much easier compared to my old Bravo where is just fit in. I like the fact i can fit in three adults in the back of the car and no one complains about lack of space in the back. So far I'll be keeping my car, have no plans to change it in the next 4-5 years if it continues to behave it's self.

tell rob to update your sig and avatar with new pics. i wanna see it.

2006 1.9 150 Prestigio now just over 7000 miles.
Just got back from Ghent and I am very impressed. The adult family were also impressed
with the comfort. No issues yet, and I achieved 49.8 mpg over the home leg where I was unable to use Cruise control at all due to traffic(horrendus M25/M1). Fingers crossed that Fiat who owned the car since new as a fleet demo have sorted out the rear tyre wear before I got it.Could they have also re chipped the ECU to get the mpg up? I seem to be getting more than other people on this forum?

Yes and No.

I am happy with the economy and the performance. I am glad is some ways that I bought a Croma instead of a Multipla. The Croma feels more like a car, even though it has great space, compared to the bus like of the Multipla. It seems that many owners on the Croma Forum have cars with low or very low miles. Yes mine was great at those low miles, but as I want to keep this car for another 3 years, I do have a issues with mechanical components, that have failed and caused no end of problems.

It seems with another 4 owners on this forum, that we have had more probs than the rest of you as our cars accumalate higher mileages. As I have said and another owner has said, is the drive shaft issue, which seems to fail around 50,000 to 65,000 miles. I do have issues with the GM suspension. When the car was newer the suspension front and rear has been soft, but now after 65K and 3 years, its getting clunky in the front and rattly in the back. I have always been a believer that Fiat suspensions systems are far more robust than GM's.

Thankfully the front wishbones and bushes come complete and straight off the shelf from a Vectra C from 2003, as do the drop links, even the shock absorbers are GM, as are the springs. The suspension in the rear is also identical to a Vectra C.

The engine being Fiat has been faultless and not missed a beat and is as smooth as ever, Gearbox is also lovely, runs a little quieter than the 8V unit.

The brakes are sharp and only had 1 set or discs all round and 1 set of pads all round in 3 years which I think is good. A mate of mine works at a Vauxhall dealer and has pointed out that on the Vectra C saloons and hatches front wheel hub bearings are an issue, and always squeal at around 60,000 miles. Mine do squeal mildly, but only going round roundabouts.

Tyre wear for me is minimal, but the road noise of preferred tyres is not acceptable, hence recently switching another maker and now no road noise.

Resale values are dreadful. Seen 2 56' plate diesels at my dealer both Eleganza Multijets with 8k and 10k miles for £6495.00 which is too cheap, but if nobody is buying them and the reception the Croma got ( What Media )
the values will plummit, just like they did on the Renault Avantime and Vel Satis.

Will I keep it for another 3 Years: Yes
Will it cause the odd mechanical issue: Yes
It is better than a Multipla: Yes
Is it better than I thought it would be: Yes
It is better to drive than my previous car a 156 jtd Estate: No

But hey you have to comprimise??